Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (0)

Why Should Manufacturers Advertise With Kids Today Online?
July 14, 2008

I would like to preface this blog with a disclosure.  I have been, in no way, solicited by Kids Today or any of their affiliates to post anything of this nature.  The arguments contained herein are opinions I have formulated during my time blogging for Kids Today.  With that out of the way...

I had a customer today who cut me off while I was talking to ask, "Are you that girl on the internet?"  No telling what shades of pink and red raced through my cheeks as I smiled and said, "That's me."  This particular customer was in from South Carolina with her mom who was in from Alabama.  They were here for the Atlanta gift show and had happened upon my blog before coming to town.  I have to say, too, that these customers are not in the juvenille products industry and are really "customers".  

As a blogger, I am trying to post more blogs that are relevant to consumers as well as retailers.  The goal is to drive more consumer traffic to the site in order to get more consumer feedback.  This will, in turn, help us all to grow our businesses as well as to inform customers.  If, as a manufacturer, you advertise the newest products in your line on the Kids Today website, you put yourself out there for retailers and consumers.  

One great example of how I have personally used advertising on the Kids Today website is with Bumkins Superbibs.  I, personally, am not a buyer so I didn't see the product and place an order.  It went like this.  We already order bibs from Bumkins including the fabulous Superbibs.  From being on the Kids Today website, I saw that they had new patterns available.  I'm sure that Krystal (assistant buyer and sister) had glanced at them but she sees so many new products in new colors every day that it's tough to keep up.  I heard Mom (buyer and, well, my mom) talking about placing a Bumkins order and I slyly said, "Have you seen the new prints?"  Mom ordered the new prints that day.  Bumkins probably has no idea that we increased the size of the order that we placed because of their ads on Kids Today Online, but we did.

Kids Today has been a critical tool for us "little guys" to stay in the know.  I know that the advertising makes a difference for most of the manufacturers who use it, too.  I really hope that you manufacturers who read will consider posting an ad.  Remember, clever ads are hard not to notice.  I look forward to seeing what you all have to offer in the way of products and advertisements.  Happy selling!

Posted by Kelly Nelson on July 14, 2008 | Comments (0)